Forsyth Co. educator fired after social media posts called racist

GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- A local elementary school employee has been fired after she made negative comments on social media about Michelle Obama, immigrants, and children with complex names.

Facebook comments shared by someone named Jane Wood Allen sparked anger online after the she called First Lady Michelle Obama a "gorilla" and said other negative things about her appearance.

She also made negative comments about being glad she didn't have a child in her kindergarten class named "Tyrrevius" becasue "It would have taken the entire year to teach him how to write his name. He might have learned it, by the end of 5th grade," she said in a Facebook comment.

"(I said might)!" she added.

A spokesperson with the Forsyth County school system told 11Alive in a statement that officials were made aware of the posts on Friday morning and are looking into the situation.

"We have and will continue to address this issue with the employee next week,” the official said. “Racism and discrimination are not tolerated in Forsyth County Schools.”

"Effective Monday, Oct. 3, Jane Wood Allen has been relieved from duty and is no longer an employee of Forsyth County Schools. Racism and discrimination are not tolerated in our school district. We are committed to ongoing staff training on the acceptance of all individuals. As this is a personnel matter, the district will provide no further comment."

Jane Allen was a paraprofessional at Chestatee Elementary School in Gainesville, Ga.

Several viewers shared screenshots of the racially-charged posts. The screen shots from her page were shared thousands of times on social media. One post had hundreds of shares.

The Forsyth County School's Facebook page was flooded with people calling for her to be fired. They used #FireJaneWoodAllen and saying someone making these types of comments is not fit to teach young minds.